Head to head
Epiphone J-45 Studio, Mahogany Burst vs Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
The verdict
The Epiphone J-45 Studio, Mahogany Burst and Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst are closely matched overall — 71 to 73 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone J-45 Studio, Mahogany Burst wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (81 vs 62)
- Lower price ($269 vs $5,699)
Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 66)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 Studio, Mahogany Burst | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 71 | 73 |
| Build | 66 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 81 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 Studio, Mahogany Burst | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Select Mahogany | Maple |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | 2-piece Maple |
| Fretboard | — | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $269 | $5,699 |
| Binding | Body Top, White | 5-ply Top, 3-ply Back |
| Body shape | J-45 | SJ-200 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Super Jumbo |
| Bridge | Mahogany | Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Rosewood |
| Case | Optional Acoustic AJ/Dreadnought Hard Case 940-EDREAD; Dread/AJ Acoustic EpiLite™ Case 940-EDREADHG | Gibson Hardshell |
| Finish | Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns |
| Fretboard radius | 305.0mm / 12.01in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing | — |
| Joint | Glued In, Dovetail Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | EA22MBNH1 | MCJB20TB |
| Nut width | 42.93mm / 1.69in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | Black with metal E | SJ-200 Cream Flower with Border and Dots |
| Profile | SlimTaper | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Plastic | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Select Mahogany | AAA Flame Maple |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - bottom and side of heel | Gold |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032 .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Bell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White); AJ | 2-ply Bell, Black and White |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Premium Tuners | Grover Rotomatic |
| Back | — | AAA Flame Maple |
| Body Finish | — | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing |
| Bridge Pins | — | TUSQ |
| Controls | — | Soundhole Mounted Volume, Mix Control (mixes between internal mic and under-saddle piezo pickup), Phase Inversion Switch, Battery Check, Mic Level Control |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Crown |
| Nut | — | TUSQ |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs Anthem |